looking for a log splitter not sure

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tumm21

Member
Jul 16, 2011
212
North Jersey
So Im looking to buy a log splitter but I dont want to spend a ton of $. Heres my options. Troy bilt (Lowes) $1400.00, MTD (Home DEpot) $1300.00, or Huskee (Tractor Supply) $1100.00. What do you guys think? Need real good advise. Thanks
 
Personally, I like the Huskee design a little better than the Troy-Bilt/MTD. It has a higher beam, in-beam log cradle, and a more substantial log dislodger. Also, the cradle on the Troy-Bilt/MTD tends to bend over time.

TSC might drop the price of the Huskee 22-ton model to $999 for an upcoming sale (they usually do this time of year). If you're on their mailing list and you get their flyers in the mail, you'll get a 10%-off coupon every now and then.
 
I p/u'ed an Iron & Oak. But my next choice would've been a Huskee. Those things seem to have pretty good reviews.
 
MTD/Troy-bilt are the same machine/manufacturer. Crack open a Northern Tool catalog or check them out online at http://www.northerntool.com Also try your local power equipment dealers, they may surprise you with a good deal. Many of them also carry the brands you'd find in Depot/Lowes etc. and certainly are going to give better service than the big box stores. TSC's Huskee brand is earning a pretty good rep in the entry-level splitter game and my friend's 22 Ton unit is still going strong after 5-6 years. I would look for something powered by a Honda GC series engine as opposed to a Briggs & Stratton "lawnmower style" or no-name engine. Don't get hung up on Ton Ratings either. Features/Durability/Configuration and cycle time (especially if you plan to split with a helper!) are all far more important.

Now, that being said, a couple other members here and myself own the following model. It's a whole lotta machine and only $100 more than the 22 ton version. There are several threads here about folks that have purchased or are considering this unit. It's a bit more than you indicated you were looking at but if you can swing it you'll be as thrilled with it as I am.

http://www.buyacehardware.com/26-ton-log-splitter-robin.html

Links to some threads here:

https://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/forums/viewthread/76665/
https://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/forums/viewthread/77036/
 
GC vs. GX

IMO, except for being a little quieter, the Honda GC is not any better than the Briggs & Stratton models at the same level. Now if you are talking about the commercial grade Honda GX engine, then that certainly is a better engine.
 
I have also heard that if you were to buy a Huskee, you are able to opt for a honda engine over the B&S. Their website (by their I mean TSC around here) doesn't say anything of the sort, so I am assuming it is something you would have to go into the farm store and talk to a manager about. Not sure if it's a GC or GX engine though.
 
TreePointer said:
GC vs. GX

IMO, except for being a little quieter, the Honda GC is not any better than the Briggs & Stratton models at the same level. Now if you are talking about the commercial grade Honda GX engine, then that certainly is a better engine.

Agreed but down in that sub-$1400 price range he'll be hard pressed to find a Honda GX. The GC trumps the Briggs IMO because it's an easy pull-start, very quiet, and if you get one with a cast-iron cylinder sleeve, the durability is quite acceptable for a $200-$300 engine.
 
Went thru the same decision 1-1/2 years ago. Looked at several makers.
I got the 22 Ton Speeco (huskee made by Speeco). Mid range in price. Of the choices I had here, it looked to be the best built. I like the cradle beam so the rounds center & don't roll off, , wedge design, the stronger ram mounting &
where it's made.
Does everything I want, yet to not split anything.
 
If you need to pick it up locally, do not rule out the Ariens line. They cost a little more, but they are built way better than the other big box store brands...

Out of what you have listed, I'd probably look at the Huskee based on online reviews - I've never used one, but they get pretty solid reviews.
 
Most splitters are good. To me the biggest mistake folks make is to think they have to go really big. Why else are the splitters now approaching the 40 ton mark? Our 20 ton has done all we ever wanted done....and we have split a lot of elm too. The splitter is over 20 years old with the only problem being that I had to shorten the rope pull starter. Didn't replace the rope as only a few inches were lost. I'm curious how long it will last before I have to change the rope.
 
I've been extremely pleased with my 27 ton Troy Built from Lowes. I knew I wanted a Honda motor (because I've head great luck with all things Honda) and this unit was in my price range. I personally would not go any smaller than my 27 ton. I typically find several rounds per trailer full that I cannot split even with my current splitter. More tonnage just makes sense to a guy like me. Ha.
 
I'll throw in a vote for the Huskey 22-ton unit.

I will admint I had an issue with mine the first year, but I contacted Speeco directly, not even calling TSC.
They made a recomendation for adjustment which did not fix the issue.
I return called them, told them the adjustment didn't fix it and I had a new valve in the mail in 2 days.
They never even asked for a proof-of purchase.

I like the way they operate... Stand behid the product no questions asked!
 
stee6043 said:
I've been extremely pleased with my 27 ton Troy Built from Lowes. I knew I wanted a Honda motor (because I've head great luck with all things Honda) and this unit was in my price range. I personally would not go any smaller than my 27 ton. I typically find several rounds per trailer full that I cannot split even with my current splitter. More tonnage just makes sense to a guy like me. Ha.

I've heard of this same thing with the so-called larger splitters and it is difficult to imagine after using our little 20 ton. In over 200 cord of wood I had one log that I did not split. Perhaps I could have split it if I'd taken more pains but it was a gnarly elm and just was not worth the bother to me. I threw it on the brush pile.

We usually split a lot of elm every year but lately it is mostly ash. A lot of logs are the right size and I'll make 4 splits per log. It is a matter of touching the log with the wedge and maybe going an inch or two, raise the wedge and do it again cross-ways and there are 4 splits in just a few seconds. Soft maple is even easier. Yes, some of the ash we have to take the wedge all the way down but not many. Actually most wood you don't have to take the wedge all the way down and I do not believe in straining to pull those splits apart like some folks. When I split I want to just pull them apart very easy with my hands and not use muscle. After all, I don't have much of that.
 
tumm21 said:
So you feel I should stick with the Huskee? Im just trying to get the most splitter for the money

The are all pretty darned good including the big 27-30-35 ton etc. If I were buying today I would not hesitate on buying a Huskee and I'd get the 22 ton model. This does not mean the others are not good as they are. But you need some help for not too much money and this is about the lowest cost splitter and is worth the dollars and will serve you well for many, many moons. If you would feel better with another model, that is okay too. Follow your heart.
 
MasterMech said:
TreePointer said:
GC vs. GX

IMO, except for being a little quieter, the Honda GC is not any better than the Briggs & Stratton models at the same level. Now if you are talking about the commercial grade Honda GX engine, then that certainly is a better engine.

Agreed but down in that sub-$1400 price range he'll be hard pressed to find a Honda GX. The GC trumps the Briggs IMO because it's an easy pull-start, very quiet, and if you get one with a cast-iron cylinder sleeve, the durability is quite acceptable for a $200-$300 engine.

I wasn't saying that he'd find a new GX in his price range. I was responding to your earlier statement:

MasterMech said:
I would look for something powered by a Honda GC series engine as opposed to a Briggs & Stratton "lawnmower style" or no-name engine.

Does Honda make nice engines? Absolotely. However, the Honda GC and Briggs engines in these entry level splitters are very comparable.

Also, I could be wrong, but I don't think the new GC engines have cast iron sleeves. You'd have to step up to a GS or GX for that.
 
I use a 27 ton Craftsman splitter with a BS engine....it's about 6 years old. I split aout 20 cords a years...havn't had any trouble with it yet. Franklin
 
I have used the Troy-bilt 27 ton ( my father-in-laws ) and the 22-ton Huskee (mine). Both are capable machines - I prefer the design of the Huskee ( log cradle on the beam, cylinder is not floating in the air, as it is on the Troy-bilt). The are also several threads on her about people having problems with the weld blowing out on the cylinder on the Troy-bilt. The Huskee was also on sale for $999 AND they gave me a $150 gift card as well. It was a no-brainer for me.
 
wood-fan-atic said:
I have used the Troy-bilt 27 ton ( my father-in-laws ) and the 22-ton Huskee (mine). Both are capable machines - I prefer the design of the Huskee ( log cradle on the beam, cylinder is not floating in the air, as it is on the Troy-bilt). The are also several threads on her about people having problems with the weld blowing out on the cylinder on the Troy-bilt. The Huskee was also on sale for $999 AND they gave me a $150 gift card as well. It was a no-brainer for me.

New baybee on the way??? Congrats :)
 
So the splitting power between the troy bilt and huskee are about the same. Looks like maybe I will go with the husky. I just wont do it til it goes on sale or if I can get a coupon. When do you guys think they might go on sale.
 
Random thoughts . . .

Any of those hydraulic splitters would beat splitting wood with a maul.

Any of those brands would work for you . . . they have all been around for awhile and for the price point are decent splitters . . . like any machine some have had issues . . . look around and you'll see a few folks who have had issues here or there with the various makes/models . . . but that's par for cars, tractors, ATVs, snowmobiles, TVs . . .

Size . . . size does matter . . . to a degree. I went with a 27-ton splitter simply because the price wasn't much more than a 22-ton . . . and I process a lot of gnarly elm. Most folks will tell you though that a 20-22 ton splitter should be more than fine for most anything you can throw at it . . . although I probably wouldn't be throwing rounds at any splitter since you could break it. ;)

Engine . . . I'm a Honda lover. Honda ATV. Honda push mower. Honda Accord. I started out thinking I wanted a Honda engine on my splitter . . . but to be truthful for the past three years and X cords of wood I have had zero issues with my Briggs and Stratton engine . . . well except for that one time that I didn't realize a mouse had built a nest in the pull starter and when the engine got nice and warm it caught the nest on fire and it started shooting out with pieces of nest on fire . . . but that was my own fault . . . and honestly it didn't do any damage. My own take on the engine -- maintain them properly, do the oil change, use the fuel stabilizer (I use Star Tron) and you'll have years of trouble free, easy pull service out of whatever engine you get.

So which one to purchase . . . honestly . . . pick whichever one you like. Best bang for the dollar would probably be the Huskee . . . but I would not have a problem recommending any of them. For the record I went with a MTD Gold -- it was in the price range I wanted, had the cradle and was available locally.
 
tumm21 said:
So the splitting power between the troy bilt and huskee are about the same. Looks like maybe I will go with the husky. I just wont do it til it goes on sale or if I can get a coupon. When do you guys think they might go on sale.

I got my TSC Labor Day flyer in the mail yesterday, and the Huskee 22-ton model is on sale again this week (Aug. 31 - Sep 5) for $999 in my region.
 
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